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Community Corner

The Great Escape: Celebrate All Things Irish this Weekend

Local parades and activities will have you doing a jig this weekend.

As a mom myself, I understand the need for a little “me” time. It clears my head and helps me relax. It also helps me to appreciate my daughter more, and ultimately, to be a better mom when the two of us have our time together.

Each week, “The Great Escape” will be dedicated to giving moms ideas on ways they can take time out for themselves. So go ahead, read on, and use this as your excuse to make “the great escape” for your much-deserved break.

Today, we've got plenty of Irish celebrations to kick start your St. Patrick’s Day.

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This weekend, you can take your pick of several local St. Patrick’s parades. 

In Plainfield, the Hometown Irish Parade steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Plainfield High School-Central Campus. Festivities will include a kids' bike rodeo and decorating contest, Irish dancers, two bagpipe ensembles, and more. The parade will end at the Village Green, where community-wide festivities are scheduled.

Find out what's happening in Plainfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lemont's parade is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12. The parade starts at the Lemont Safety Village, and then the fun and festivities continue to the VFW Hall until at least 5 p.m.  The VFW is even hosting a soda bread contest.

Also in Plainfield, St. Mary Immaculate Parish will host its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. The party will include Jack & Pat’s corned beef and beverages, kids’ games, a bags tournament, bake sale and Irish dancing by the Keigher Dance Academy dancers. The cost is $10 per adult meal and $2 per kid’s meal.

In Romeoville,  will host their second St. Patrick’s Day dinner dance beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at Parish and School. Dinner is an Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and rye bread. The evening will feature raffles, gift baskets, music and a 50/50 raffle. To make reservations for dine-in or carry out, call 815-293-3909.  The cost of each meal is $12.

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